Chickenpox — It Isn’t Child’s Play

It’s ba-a-ack! Chickenpox (also known as Varicella) is doing the rounds in Upwey,particularly in schools and kinders in the area. Being one of the most contagious diseases around, it won’t be long before chickenpox starts making things very unpleasant up here in the hills community too.

What can you do to avoid it?

Make an appointment to be immunised against it … today! If you and your children have not been immunised against chickenpox, or if you can’t recall whether you’ve had it or not, book an appointment and discuss it with your doctor.

Children who missed out on their chickenpox vaccination are eligible for a free ‘catch-up’ shot. Adult injections are available too for a cost. The vaccination will give you a lifetime’s immunity. Not only are you likely to avoid being sick in the future, you may avoid serious health complications.

Isn’t it ‘good’ for kids to get Chickenpox?

In a word, NO! And while we’re on the subject, the thinking behind ‘Pox Parties’, so that they can all catch chickenpox together, is seriously flawed. Because it’s so highly contagious, it only takes a minimal sharing of toys, drink bottles and sneezes to infect everyone. And of the unvaccinated people — bearing in mind it isn’t just the kids, everyone else is at risk too — 90% will become infected with nasty rashes, lesions and flu-like symptoms showing inusually 10—21 days. It typically takes at least three weeks to recover.

Isn’t Chickenpox a ‘kids’ illness’?

No it absolutely isn’t. Children who have chickenpox may develop a natural immunity but that’s not always the case. It can reactivate at any time in the future. Unvaccinated children, teenagers, and adults (especially pregnant women) who get chickenpox can have a much more serious time of it. There is the risk of complications in adult chickenpox that can lead to skin infections and scarring, pneumonia, vertigo, meningitis and/or encephalitis.

Chickenpox is definitely not child’s play. It is a serious but vaccine-preventable disease. We hope to see you for your vaccination soon. Book by clicking here.